What's the consensus on Craftsman V-Series

[Odd-job]

I know this is an old post but, I have had set of Craftsman socket bits for at least 30 years and recently replaced the bits part with WERA + in the sockets of those sizes that we’re worn.

Am going to give the Wera's a try one of these days. I am hearing they are not as good as RBRTs on messed up hex cap screws though, but they are also less than half the cost.

 

[PoorUB]

Wow! I just go crazy when I see all the Craftsman love! I really do not understand it! Craftsman were mid grade tools when Sears was the only place to buy them. After Sears sold them off I won't touch them. I would rather spend my money at HF than on Craftsman!

 

[CHI_Tool&Die]

Wow! I just go crazy when I see all the Craftsman love! I really do not understand it! Craftsman were mid grade tools when Sears was the only place to buy them. After Sears sold them off I won't touch them. I would rather spend my money at HF than on Craftsman!

I think the older stuff has a nostalgia factor. I'm not a huge fan of the US-made stuff, but I don't hate it either. The SBD stuff coming out of Taiwan is pretty decent. They are similar to other SBD brands, like Facom, Expert, and Proto but at a much cheaper cost. They aren't exact copies, so a lot of the goodies or fine finishing touches are not there, but they are pretty damned good for what they are. I much prefer my Craftsman hand tools over my HF tools.

 

[neophyte]

Wow! I just go crazy when I see all the Craftsman love! I really do not understand it! Craftsman were mid grade tools when Sears was the only place to buy them. After Sears sold them off I won't touch them. I would rather spend my money at HF than on Craftsman!

Craftsman had multiple quality levels, sort of like Ikea.
The top quality Craftsman tools were excellent, and basically Industrial quality tools at a much better price.
SK made some of the Craftsman Pro quality tools, and those still come out high on tool tests.
Armstrong was another manufacturer of the quality Craftsman tools, although the “chrome” plating was usually thinner than on actual Armstrong branded tools.
Facom, the “Snap-On” of France manufactured some tools and wrench sets for Craftsman.
Bahco and Knipex also manufactured tools for Craftsman.
A large proportion of the Craftsman hammers were made for them by Vaughan.
The Craftsman power tools varied, but Bosch, Makita, and Ryobi (pre-TTI US made Ryobi) all made tools private label for Craftsman, and maybe Skil ( US made Skil) as well.

Not everything from Craftsman was great, and the quality varied over time, but the stuff they got private label from some brands was excellent, and usually available at a much better price.

 

[lardy1]

Off topic, but for the Craftsman enthusiast, Zoro is now marketing Craftsman.

 

['52Chevy]

From a purchasing standpoint, I have no desire to buy any Craftsman tools anymore. In-fact, I recently replaced all of my USA made Cman sockets with Tekton. I was a little excited when I first heard about the V series, but the price point isn't where I want to be for non US made tools.

All of my combo and box end wrenches are still USA Cman, my ratcheting wrenches are Gearwrench.

My only experience with the new V Series, is the 18" Flex Head 96 tooth 1/2" drive ratchet that Cman just warrantied for me. I have an old 36 tooth v series that the pawl is just smooth from years of use. Contacted Cman and they sent me a new ratchet. It seems really nice, but I haven't had a chance to use it yet. So no real experience.

The ratchet they sent me sells for around $100, the nearest Tekton equivalent is only 14" but $50. Pittsburg Pro is $35, and ICON is $65. I would definitely consider buying any of those over the V Series, just based on price alone. Not to mention the issues with CMan warranty. I can't just swing into a store and swap it out. At least currently the CMan website warranty has worked well for me, but I've heard from others they have had issues there as well.

 

[PoorUB]

Craftsman had multiple quality levels, sort of like Ikea.
The top quality Craftsman tools were excellent, and basically Industrial quality tools at a much better price.
SK made some of the Craftsman Pro quality tools, and those still come out high on tool tests.
Armstrong was another manufacturer of the quality Craftsman tools, although the “chrome” plating was usually thinner than on actual Armstrong branded tools.
Facom, the “Snap-On” of France manufactured some tools and wrench sets for Craftsman.
Bahco and Knipex also manufactured tools for Craftsman.
A large proportion of the Craftsman hammers were made for them by Vaughan.
The Craftsman power tools varied, but Bosch, Makita, and Ryobi (pre-TTI US made Ryobi) all made tools private label for Craftsman, and maybe Skil ( US made Skil) as well.

Not everything from Craftsman was great, and the quality varied over time, but the stuff they got private label from some brands was excellent, and usually available at a much better price.

Over the years I have owned quite a bit of Craftsman. I don't think there is one Craftsman tool in my shop, except for and odd wrench in the drawer with the other odd tools I don't use often. I am very familiar with the quality and like I mentioned, they were middle of the road.

Also, just because a company like Bosch made Craftsman it doesn't mean they were quality tools. They were built on Bosch's assmply line to Craftsman specs.

 

[Dakotadadv8]

From a purchasing standpoint, I have no desire to buy any Craftsman tools anymore. In-fact, I recently replaced all of my USA made Cman sockets with Tekton. I was a little excited when I first heard about the V series, but the price point isn't where I want to be for non US made tools.

All of my combo and box end wrenches are still USA Cman, my ratcheting wrenches are Gearwrench.

My only experience with the new V Series, is the 18" Flex Head 96 tooth 1/2" drive ratchet that Cman just warrantied for me. I have an old 36 tooth v series that the pawl is just smooth from years of use. Contacted Cman and they sent me a new ratchet. It seems really nice, but I haven't had a chance to use it yet. So no real experience.

The ratchet they sent me sells for around $100, the nearest Tekton equivalent is only 14" but $50. Pittsburg Pro is $35, and ICON is $65. I would definitely consider buying any of those over the V Series, just based on price alone. Not to mention the issues with CMan warranty. I can't just swing into a store and swap it out. At least currently the CMan website warranty has worked well for me, but I've heard from others they have had issues there as well.

Give us feedback when you start using the 18” flex head 1/2 inch drive ratchet. I am planning to buy it next month. Perhaps we only stick with the OP post on experience with Craftsman V series.

 

[Callelle]

I got a few of the new V series ratchets from warrantying some old ratchets through customer service, a 3/8 flex head comfort grip and a straight chrome handle. They both feel pretty nice, I'd say up there with some of the mid tier brands.

 

[Ton ton]

Craftsman had multiple quality levels, sort of like Ikea.
The top quality Craftsman tools were excellent, and basically Industrial quality tools at a much better price.
SK made some of the Craftsman Pro quality tools, and those still come out high on tool tests.
Armstrong was another manufacturer of the quality Craftsman tools, although the “chrome” plating was usually thinner than on actual Armstrong branded tools.
Facom, the “Snap-On” of France manufactured some tools and wrench sets for Craftsman.
Bahco and Knipex also manufactured tools for Craftsman.
A large proportion of the Craftsman hammers were made for them by Vaughan.
The Craftsman power tools varied, but Bosch, Makita, and Ryobi (pre-TTI US made Ryobi) all made tools private label for Craftsman, and maybe Skil ( US made Skil) as well.

Not everything from Craftsman was great, and the quality varied over time, but the stuff they got private label from some brands was excellent, and usually available at a much better price.

Actually useful information, thank you!

 

[Lt CHEG]

To me, Craftsman is dead. I’ll not spend any more money on them, no matter how good the value is. Yes, for me, higher end tools are a luxury and not a necessity, but still at the end of the day I want top quality product. I have also come to realize that my standard Craftsman stuff was never really all that great. However, since the move overseas, along with some of the horrible quality replacements (crab claw wrenches - yuck!) it has made me more and more dislike my USA made Craftsman as well. I’ve become more and more militant about supporting USA made, and more importantly opposing anything Chinese made, and this has all reinforced my lack of interest in anything Craftsman.

I’ll reiterate that these are luxuries for my needs, but I’m more and more opposed to supporting anything from China, when I can help it. I don’t care if the tool quality was identical, to me I don’t want to support non USA or non European brands. Honestly that extends to others as well. If I was looking for a new mechanic to service stuff that I couldn’t service and one mechanic had SnapOn or Mac, or Matco boxes full of US made tools and another was at least equally skilled but had nothing but Harbor Freight, I’d go to the mechanic with the US made stuff. I wouldn’t even care if his rates were double, and in most cases even with higher tool costs, one mechanic is very highly unlikely to charge double that of another. I’d also let the mechanic know why I went with him over his competition. We need to continue to be a country that makes things, and we also need to be a country where we support what we make, regardless of the costs and so I put my money where my mouth is. I truly believe it’s a matter of National security, and of supporting our neighbors and I’ll gladly do with less in order to have US made stuff. Craftsman is dead to me, no matter how good their products. Thankfully, from what I’ve played with and tried out I don’t feel like I’m missing anything.

 

[ike]

Armstrong was another manufacturer of the quality Craftsman tools, although the “chrome” plating was usually thinner than on actual Armstrong branded tools.

I had read (on here) for many years that there was a difference between the chrome on Armstrong and other brands. I met someone that was a former production manager for Danaher/Apex and asked him about that specifically. He told me there was no difference at all between the chrome that was put on Armstrong/Craftsman/Allen tools in their factory. He said the only difference between the brands was QC.

 

[73project]

In my book, the Craftsman name is a reason to steer away from the item beingng sold. The once trusted name that stood for their middle of the road tools has been diminished to a marketing gimmic for sub standard tools. Sad, but true.

 

[ToolG]

Stanley-Black&Decker's main reason for buy the Craftsman brand from Sears was to ensure no one else got the brand. The name is still recognizable, and marketable, so they wanted it. However, they didn't seem to know what to do with it, other than rebrand existing tools with the Craftsman logo.

I hope the Ft. Worth plant is an indication that SBD will take things seriously. I'm looking forward to made-in-USA tools using US steel, but I expect the prices to be high.

Hey im from the future i think that plant closed already lol shame

 

[four.cycle]

We are still waiting for real-life, used-in-a-shop-environment reports from two young members here on their newly acquired Craftsman "V" series ratchets and sockets they received for Christmas.
They were requested to actually use them for a time so that we got some real-world feedback, not just the speculation and conjecture that has made up this thread thus far.

Thank you in advance for your patience.

 

[ToolG]

Ive had a 3/8 for about a year im actually quite surprised by it im 200 lbs and i can pull it as hard as i can and it will not break.. its every bit as good as gearwrench or icon imo... definitely much nicer to use than those old clunker usa ones and dont jam up like the junk newer 72 tooth do... its probably the nicest ratchet craftsman has ever made beside those professionals?yall know the ones they sell crazy high on ebay... i just wish you could service them but gearwrench/icon other similar grade rats just swap out anyways so guess it dosent matter anymore

 

[darkzero]

We are still waiting for real-life, used-in-a-shop-environment reports from two young members here on their newly acquired Craftsman "V" series ratchets and sockets they received for Christmas.
They were requested to actually use them for a time so that we got some real-world feedback, not just the speculation and conjecture that has made up this thread thus far.

Thank you in advance for your patience.

That's definitely not me as I'm not so young anymore but I got Craftsman V-Series ratchets for Christmas 2021 from my brothers. That year we agreed to just get each other what we wanted so those are what I requested. I chose them simply cause I liked the way they looked, I love single diagonal knurling but I was not fond of the thick heads & being sealed/no t serviceable. I would never but them myself which is another reason why I requested them.

Used them occasionally at home over the years. Late last year I got a new job working in automotive again so I took the 1/4 & 3/8 to work. The thick heads did not bother me & I liked the way they felt & looked but the well known backdrag issues was horrendous. The 3/8 wasn't that bad but the 1/4 had more backdrag than the 3/8. After 4-5 months I couldn't stand it anymore, brought them back home & replaced them with some other inexpensive ratchets which I've been happy with. I tried to live with the backdrag & hoped they would loosen up but nope, total fail.

I've lost all interest in the Craftsman name & have had absolutely no interest in SB&D Craftsman besides these. I tried & they let me down, so disappointed but no surprise.

 

[ToolG]

Ya the 1/4 is really bad the 3/8 is a little stiff but workable.. if you ever wsmna try someith almost non existence backdrag try dome koken out. But those diehard you have there arnt bad ratchets at all

 

[darkzero]

Yup I was surprised about the Diehards, pretty decent especially for the price, I use them at work.

I wanted to try Koken but when I found out their direction switch operates "backwards" I lost interest. That's a deal breaker for me. I ended up buying a couple of Nepros but haven't used them much.

I have enough ratchets that I'm happy with & I really don't need anymore.

 

[ToolG]

Yup I was surprised about the Diehards, pretty decent especially for the price, I use them at work.

I wanted to try Koken but when I found out their direction switch operates "backwards" I lost interest. That's a deal breaker for me. I ended up buying a couple of Nepros but haven't used them much.

I have enough ratchets that I'm happy with & I really don't need anymore.

I forget the koken is backwards i dont notice it like i do on the Pittsburgh because everything's so much tighter more refined

 

[Andres26tnt]

Switch direction is hilarious to me, i always check direction regardless.

 

[rooster59]

You can’t tell the heat treat by looks or feel, and that’s the difference between fair and excellent.